Mission

The world has changed. In less than two decades, we have transitioned from the geopolitical certainties of the Cold War to an evolving collage of variables. The graduate department of Central and Eastern European Studies offers a program of study in the economics, politics, and culture of the former Soviet Union and Germany. The Certificate in Intelligence and Security Studies further refines the use of this knowledge by preparing graduate students for careers in intelligence, anti-terrorism, and homeland security.
The Certificate program is designed to enhance the geopolitical knowledge base of the Certificate candidates, to increase their ability to gather, analyze, and interpret intelligence and security-related information in the area of focus, and to enhance their career opportunities with intelligence- and security-related agencies.

Behavioral Objectives

To trace the history and development of intelligence and security policy in Central and Eastern Europe.

To provide enhanced knowledge of current intelligence and security policies operative in Central and Eastern Europe.

To instruct Certificate candidates in the analysis of intelligence and security policy with relevance to the realities of Central and Eastern Europe.

To cultivate the Certificate candidate’s ability to create and implement solutions within the framework of contemporary foreign policy.

To enable Certificate candidates to extrapolate future intelligence and security policy based on contemporary geopolitical events.

To credential Certificate holders via the awarding of graduate academic credit and a certificate of program completion.

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree from a recognized institution. In the case of International Students, the completion of six university semesters.

Official copies of all undergraduate transcripts.

Two letters of recommendation from professors and/or work supervisors.

A completed application form.

Evidence of a reading knowledge of at least one of the languages of Central or Eastern Europe upon graduation. Courses and tutoring are provided to enhance a student’s language skills.

International Students must submit a certificate of financial responsibility in addition to the aforementioned documents and document English-language competency.

Program Requirements

The Certificate requires the completion of fifteen (15) credit hours:

One Foundations Course

Three Field Courses

One Seminar

Course Descriptions

Foundations Course:
CES 605 Introduction to Intelligence/Security Policy: Central and Eastern Europe
Using a comparative approach to intelligence/security policy, this course uses case studies from various nations of Central and Eastern Europe to examine the interplay and role of intelligence in the policy-making process. Students will gain a broad understanding of how policy-makers impact the intelligence process and how they use intelligence in the decision-making and policy-making process.

Field Courses:
CES 611-612 Topics in the Geopolitics of the Balkan, Caspian, and Caucasus Regions
These courses present a chronology of major events and trends, both historic and present, in the Balkan, Caspian, and Caucasus regions. The students are provided with an opportunity to analyze intercultural and geopolitical aspects of life and times in these regions.
Topics:

Conflict in the Caucasus

Geopolitics of the Caspian Sea Region

Revolutions by Color in the Former Soviet Union

CES 660-661 Topics in Central and Eastern European Politics
These courses will analyze the issues surrounding the formation and dismantlement of what was known as the Eastern Bloc and its transformation into a region of developing democratic states. They will include an analysis of the ideological and historical underpinnings of Communism and the formation of the Eastern Bloc. The courses will also examine contemporary issues of intelligence and security.
Topics:

Democratic Development of Eastern Europe

Espionage in Central and Eastern Europe: Cold War and Beyond

Contemporary Russian Politics

History of Russian Intelligence Agencies

Terrorist Trends of Central and Eastern Europe

Russian Military Doctrine in the 21st Century

Central and Eastern Europe in US - Security Policy

Seminar:
CES 695 Intelligence/Security Policy Seminar
This course provides the students with the opportunity to complete an in-depth paper in an area of focus under the close supervision of a professor. This paper will address a particular policy issue, such as possible Russian reactions to the democratization process in Ukraine, producing policy options, along with proposals for implementing the options. The candidate will defend the study before a panel of professors.